‘There’s No Place Like Home’: Zaquan Patterson Reacts to Miami Commitment

Miami came up victorious in one of its most important recruiting battles of the 2024 cycle on Saturday afternoon as Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) safety Zaquan Patterson pledged to the Hurricanes.

Patterson announced his commitment on an ESPN broadcast during the halftime of Chaminade-Madonna’s game against St. Francis Academy (Md.). He spoke to reporters for a couple of minutes after the decision was made.

“I feel good. I’m glad that the process … is gonna simmer down after this,” Patterson said. “I think I chose the right decision, the best opportunity for me, and I’m just looking forward to being in the program.”

Patterson chose Miami over his other finalists: Michigan, Auburn, Ohio State and Florida State.

“I feel like I’ll have the biggest impact there. I have the best opportunity there,” Patterson said. “There’s no place like home. I know that I’m gonna play good here, nonetheless, I know I’m already ok with the weather and everything like that, so it’s nothing that I have to worry about, just play ball.”

The 6-foot-0, 185-pound defensive back is the second player from Chaminade-Madonna to commit to Miami this recruiting cycle, joining highly touted wide receiver Joshisa Trader, who pledged to UM in July.

Patterson noted that Trader talked to him “every day about coming to Miami,” but that this was a decision that the senior defender made individually.

Patterson also credited Miami defensive backs coach Jamile Addae as a factor in his college choice.

“Every since [DeMarcus Van Dyke] left and went to FIU, Coach Addae has stepped up and [taken] the role that Coach [Van Dyke]. He made it be known that he really wanted me, and he wanted to build that relationship.”

Patterson also mentioned that he plans on taking official visits in the fall, with Auburn and Michigan being the two schools he named.

As for when he decided that he wanted to commit to Miami, Patterson said that “this was a split decision, like really yesterday.”